Page 18 of A Touch So Wicked

“Enjoy your bath,” Damian grunted as he strode away. “I’ll take my bath elsewhere.”

He fished for the key and unlocked the door.

“Wait! I need fresh clothing. Those I was wearing are soaking wet. I canna leave without clothes.”

“I’ll see that your chest with your personal items are brought to you. As for leaving this chamber, ah, well, that’s another story. I don’t trust you, lady. You’re willful, stubborn, and untrustworthy. ’Tis becoming increasingly apparent that the convent won’t detain you.”

Elissa blanched. “Then what…?”

Damian didn’t offer an answer as he left her and turned the key in the lock.

Truth be known, he didn’t have an answer.

Damian returned to the hall. He stopped to draw himself a mug of ale from a nearby keg, then wearily sank down in a chair before the hearth. Dickon joined him a short time later.

“What are your orders concerning the Fraser wench?”

Damian stared thoughtfully into his mug. “I’m not sure sending her to the convent is a good idea. The lady is as resourceful as she is beautiful. I’m beginning to think there is no clear answer where Elissa is concerned. ’Tis obvious the convent won’t hold her for long. Look how easily she found her way out of the keep. She’ll escape the convent within a week of her arrival and flee to the Gordon laird.”

“You have to obey the king, Damian.”

“The Crown is interested only in keeping Elissa and Gordon from marrying.”

“That’s why she’s being sent to the convent,” Dickon pointed out. “Did she tell you how she managed to leave the keep?”

“Nay, but I’ll find out. I’m inclined to believe there’s a secret exit.”

“Of course,” Dickon exclaimed. “That’s how she did it. Shall I help you search?”

“Nay, I’ll find it.”

“What are you going to do? Perhaps you should send her to London and let the king decide her fate.”

Damian scowled. “I might be sending her to her death. I don’t want that on my conscience.”

“Bloody hell, Damian, there must be something you can do. I say send her to the convent and let the nuns worry about her. You can’t be blamed for her actions once you’ve carried out the king’s orders.”

“Ah, but I could be blamed, Dickon. I’m supposed to prevent a marriage. Should that marriage take place, I stand to lose my lands and my title.”

“I’m glad I’m not in your boots. What will you do with the troublesome baggage in the meantime?”

“Lock her in my chamber where I can watch her and throw away the key.”

Dickon’s eyebrows shot upward.

“’Tis not what you think, Dickon, though I admit I find the lady beyond tempting. My only concern, however, is isolating her from those who might be inclined to release her. I’ve inspected every chamber in the fortress and mine is the only one decently furnished besides those in the solar.”

Dickon sent him a skeptical look. “Where will you sleep?”

“I haven’t decided,” Damian said cryptically.

“Good luck,” Dickon said, rising.

Damian sat brooding over his ale until his damp clothing reminded him that he was in desperate need of a hot bath and food. Hailing a maid passing through the hall, he asked that a tub and food be sent to the barracks and issued orders concerning Elissa’s immediate needs.

Elissa heard the key turning in the lock and looked up expectantly. The door swung open and two men entered with her trunk balanced between them. Maggie hurried in after them, carrying a tray of what Elissa hoped was food.

Elissa huddled beneath the blanket she’d worn since her bath, watching as the men set her trunk down and retreated, leaving her alone with Maggie.